Wiper blade adapter

Abstract

TITLE: Wiper Blade Adapter. Adapter (1) having a lower part (5) for connection to the wiper blade and an upper part for connection to the wiper arm, including supply connections. The upper part of the adapter includes a support for the supply connections (8) and a wiper arm attachment (14), movable between an operating position in which the wiper arm (4), being mounted, connects the arm lines to the supply connection, and a sliding and pivoted mounting position relative to the working position. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Windshield wiper blade adapter FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper blade adapter for connecting a wiper blade, in particular a flat wiper blade, to an end segment of a wiper arm, the wiper blade adapter having a lower adapter part for connecting to the wiper blade and an upper adapter part for connecting to the wiper arm, having supply connections for connecting to the supply lines of the wiper arm for the cleaning fluid and / or the electrical supply.

[0002] The wiper blade is connected to the wiper arm by a wiper blade adapter to allow the wiper blade to be mounted on the vehicle and in the location. The wiper blade adapter has, among other functions, the function of transmitting the lateral guiding forces of the wiper arm during the wiping movement to the wiper blade and, in many embodiments, of allowing rotational movement via a pivoting or rotating joint, so that the wiper blade can adapt, during its wiping movement, to the inclination and curvature of the windshield. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Various windshield wiper blades are known, having nozzles for distributing cleaning fluid onto the windshield and having cleaning fluid supply lines between the wiper arm and the wiper blade adapter, with a removable connection to the wiper blade adapter. It is also known, according to the prior art, to provide electrical supply lines for the wiper blade, for example, to heat it or to protect it from the windshield washer fluid freezing.

[0004] According to US patent 2014 331437 A1, a windshield wiper system device is known, comprising a wiper blade adapter that allows rotational movement (pivoting) between the wiper arm and the wiper blade. The wiper blade adapter provides a hydraulic and / or electrical connection between the wiper blade and a connection point on the wiper arm. The mounting surface on the wiper arm can be pivoted between its mounting position and its operating position, guided by the wiper arm, by a raised portion that fits into a recess. This device also includes hydraulic and electrical connections.

[0005] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a wiper blade adapter for connecting a wiper blade, in particular a flat wiper blade, to an end segment of a wiper arm. The wiper blade adapter has a lower adapter portion for connecting to the wiper blade and an upper adapter portion for connecting to the wiper arm, comprising supply connections for connecting to the wiper arm's supply lines for cleaning fluid and / or electrical power. This wiper blade adapter is characterized in that the upper adapter portion comprises a support for supply connections, including supply connections and a wiper arm attachment. This wiper arm attachment is movable between an operating position in which the wiper arm, being mounted,The wiper arm supply lines are connected to the supply fitting and a mounting position that slides a certain distance from the working position and is pivoted at a certain angle from that working position.

[0007] The wiper blade adapter according to the invention has the advantage of connecting the wiper arm in the mounting position to the wiper arm bracket without first having to connect the supply lines, such as, for example, electrical connections and / or washer fluid lines, to the wiper arm supply lines. The inclined position is the mounting position of the wiper blade adapter; the wiper blade connected to the wiper arm is thus more easily accessible. Next, the wiper arm bracket is rotated to a certain angle so that the wiper arm supply lines are aligned with the corresponding supply lines on the supply line bracket of the wiper blade adapter.Next, the wiper arm bracket is slid relative to the supply fitting support in a linear motion until it reaches the operating position, and in this pivoted position, the wiper arm supply lines connect to the supply fitting support.

[0008] In the operating position of the wiper arm attachment, the wiper blade adapter functions like the wiper blade to which it is connected and presses against the vehicle's windshield. Advantageously, the wiper arm attachment or the wiper blade adapter is designed so that the wiper arms are compatible even if they are intended for a different connection system with, for example, a simple linear sliding movement.

[0009] The described characteristics and advantages result solely from the proper design of the wiper blade adapter. It is also advantageous to mount the wiper arm on the wiper arm adapter and with the wiper blade the wiper connected to it, can be done intuitively and ensure very high reliability and ease of execution of the connection of the supply fittings in that the connection to the supply lines of the wiper arm is made during the guided linear sliding movement.

[0010] Advantageously, by simply sliding a certain distance, the wiper arm supply lines are coupled or decoupled from the supply fittings. This simplifies the connection process because the supply lines and the connecting fittings are thus precisely aligned with each other, and the connection is made by simple plug-in.

[0011] According to an advantageous development, the wiper arm attachment is pivoted from the mounting position to an intermediate position by a certain angle, and the intermediate position is moved to the operating position by sliding a certain stroke. This results in a strict separation of the two movements, facilitates the connection between the power supply and the supply fittings via the sliding movement, and makes it intuitively possible to mount it in the mounting position.

[0012] In the mounting position, by pivoting through a certain angle, the wiper arm attached to the wiper blade is rotated relative to the wiper blade.

[0013] Advantageously, the wiper arm attachment has an inverted U-shaped profile section which houses the power supply connector support. The wiper arm attachment is thus guided over the power supply connector support and by the lateral surfaces of the sides. In the operating position, the guiding force is transmitted from the wiper arm to the wiper blade adapter and ultimately to the wiper blade.

[0014] According to an advantageous development, the power supply connection support has a guide lug guided in a slide of the wiper arm attachment, in particular an L-shaped slide that determines the possible sliding and pivoting movements. A guide lug and a slide can be provided on both sides. The distinct sliding and pivoting movements are thus precisely defined and fixed. The guide slide cooperates via a second, straight guide slide of the wiper arm attachment so that, during the sliding movement, the guide lug slides on both sides. Then, in the second guide slide, the guide lugs come to rest against the other L-shaped support, by the movement of the guide lug perpendicular to the initial direction, enabling angular pivoting.Thus, in addition or as an alternative, one can also consider a slide in the supply connection support receiving a lug of the wiper arm fixing.

[0015] The wiper arm attachment can fit completely into the end segment of the wiper arm.

[0016] Advantageously, the supply fitting support has a head end against which the front surface of the end segment of the wiper arm in the operating position is continuously applied by its outer surface.

[0017] The supply connection side of the supply connection bracket can be provided on the opposite side of the head end. This results in an open head end that can receive the corresponding supply lines from the wiper arm.

[0018] Advantageously, a pivot joint is provided between the upper and lower parts of the adapter. Thus, the wiper blade adapter provides the pivot joint for the necessary mobility of the wiper blade relative to the windshield; this pivot joint is completely independent of the pivoting capability during assembly. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to an example of a wiper blade adapter shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] View of a wiper blade adapter with a wiper blade and a wiper arm,

[0021] [Fig.2] Perspective view partially through transparency of the broom adapter of the windshield wiper, the wiper arm and the wiper blade,

[0022] [Fig.3] Perspective view of the wiper blade adapter with the arm of the windshield wiper in the mounting position,

[0023] [Fig.4] Perspective view of the wiper blade adapter with the arm wiper in intermediate position,

[0024] [Fig. 5] Perspective view of the wiper blade adapter with the arm of the windshield wiper in the operating position,

[0025] [Fig.6] Side view of part of the wiper blade adapter.

[0026] DESCRIPTION OF A METHOD OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an assembly comprising a wiper blade adapter 1 with a wiper blade 2 and an end segment 3 of a wiper arm 4. The lower part of the adapter 7 is connected to the wiper blade 1 equipped with a deflector 6. The wiper arm 5 is connected to the upper part of the adapter 7 by its end segment 3; the upper part is in two parts, namely a support for supply fittings 8 and a wiper arm attachment not visible in this view. The end segment 4 is held to the wiper arm attachment by a locking button 10 on the upper part of the adapter 7, protruding into the recess 9.

[0028] The supply lines not shown for the wiper arm 4 supply the cleaning fluid to the wiper blade 2; the fluid is sprayed onto the windshield by nozzles in the form of jets IL

[0029] Figure 2 shows a second view of the device, partially transparent. The wiper blade adapter 1 is connected to the wiper blade 2 by the lower part of the adapter 5. The upper part of the adapter 7 has the supply fitting support 8, which has a head end 12, and on the side opposite the head end 12, supply fittings 13 for supplying the wiper arm 4. The wiper arm 4 is connected by its end segment 3 to a wiper arm bracket 14, held in place by the locking button. The cleaning fluid is supplied to the jets 11 via the supply fittings 13, the wiper blade adapter 1, and the connecting lines 15.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the wiper blade adapter 1 with the wiper arm bracket 14 in the mounting position for installing and securing the wiper arm (not shown). The wiper arm bracket 14 is rotated at an angle relative to the supply fitting support 8 with its head end 12 as if the wiper arm were rotated towards the wiper blade 2. However, it is also possible, for example, to pivot in the opposite direction. The wiper arm bracket is further slid a stroke relative to the supply fitting support 8 by its head end 12. The locking button 10 is provided on a spring segment 16 of the wiper arm bracket 14 so that it can be pressed in for installing or removing the wiper arm.

[0031] A guide lug 18 is housed in an L-shaped slide 17 of the wiper arm attachment 14; this lug is provided on the supply fitting support 8. The vertical part of the L-shaped slide 17, as shown in the figures, allows pivoting through a certain angle.

[0032] Figure 4 shows the wiper blade adapter 4 with the wiper arm attachment 14 in an intermediate position after the wiper arm 4 has been placed in the mounting position of Figure 3 and pivoted upwards. The guide lug 18 engaged in the L-shaped slide 17 allows only angular pivoting, represented by the arrow, until the wiper arm attachment 14 reaches the supply fitting support 8 in the intermediate position. The end segment 4 of this embodiment completely covers the wiper arm attachment 14. The washer fluid supply lines (lines not shown), and optionally also the The electrical connection connectors of the wiper arm 3 are oriented towards the supply fittings 13 of the supply fitting bracket 8, but are not connected to it.

[0033] Figure 5 shows the wiper blade adapter 1 with the wiper arm attachment 14 in the operating position; in this position, the wiper blade 10 moves across the vehicle's windshield. As indicated by the arrow, and guided by the guide lug 18 in the L-shaped slide 17, the wiper arm attachment 14 slides with the end segment 3 of the wiper arm 14 towards the end of the supply connection bracket 8 until it reaches its stop. This sliding stroke connects the supply connections 13 to the supply lines of the wiper arm 4. Because this movement is guided by the L-shaped slide 17, there is no risk of binding and the connections are easily made.

[0034] The end segment 3 of the wiper arm 4 butts against the head end 12, coming level and it also connects continuously by its outer surface to the outer surface of the head end 12.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a side view of part of the wiper blade adapter 1. The lower part of the adapter 5 is connected to the upper part of the adapter 7, of which only the supply connection bracket 8 is shown, with a pivot joint 19 which, during the operation of the wiper blade 2, allows the angle relative to the wiper arm to be adjusted. The supply connection bracket 8 has an inclined surface 20 which allows the wiper arm attachment 14 to pivot into the mounting position. The figure also shows the connecting lines 15 for the cleaning fluid passing from the supply connection bracket 8 into the lower part of the adapter 5.

[0036] NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMENTS

[0037] 1 Wiper blade adapter

[0038] 2 Windshield wiper blade

[0039] 3 Wiper arm end segment

[0040] 4 Wiper arm

[0041] 5 Lower adapter part

[0042] 6 Deflector

[0043] 7 Upper adapter part

[0044] 8 Supply connection support

[0045] 9 Obviously

[0046] 10 Adapter top locking button

[0047] 11 Cleaning fluid jet

[0048] 12 Head end

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

[0053]

[0054]

[0055]

[0056] 13 Supply connection 14 Wiper arm attachment 15 Connecting line 16 Elastic segment of the wiper arm attachment 17 L-shaped slide 18 Guide lug 19 Pivot joint 20 Inclined surface

Claims

Demands

1. A wiper blade adapter (1) for connecting a wiper blade (2), in particular a flat wiper blade, to an end segment (3) of a wiper arm (4), the wiper blade adapter (1) having a lower adapter portion (5) for connection to the wiper blade (2) and an upper adapter portion (7) for connection to the wiper arm (4), comprising supply fittings (13) for connection to the supply lines of the wiper arm (4) for cleaning fluid and / or electrical power, the wiper blade adapter characterized in that the upper adapter portion (7) comprises a supply fitting support (8) having the supply fittings (13) and a wiper arm attachment (14), this wiper arm attachment (14) being movable between a position of operation in which the wiper arm (4), being mounted,The supply lines for the wiper arm (4) are connected to the supply fittings (13) and a mounting position, which is slid a certain distance from the working position and pivoted at a certain angle from this working position, mounting position in which the wiper arm (4) is fixed to the adapter (1).

2. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that by sliding the stroke, the connecting lines of the wiper arm (4) are coupled or uncoupled to the supply fitting (13).

3. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to move from the mounting position of the wiper arm (14) attachment to an intermediate position, the attachment is pivoted by a certain angle and to move from the intermediate position to the operating position, it is slid by a certain stroke.

4. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the mounting position, an added wiper arm (4) is pivoted relative to the wiper blade (2) to pivot through a certain angle.

5. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper arm attachment (14) has an inverted U-shaped profile section, receiving inside the supply fitting support (8).

6. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply fitting support (8) has a guide lug (18) and is guided in a slide (17) of the wiper arm attachment (14), in particular in an L-shaped slide (17), and is fixed by sliding and pivoting possible movement.

7. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a guide lug (18) and a slide (17) are provided on both sides.

8. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper arm attachment (14) can be received completely in the end segment (3) of the wiper arm (4).

9. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply fitting support (8) has a head end (12) against which the front surface of the end segment (3) of the wiper arm (4) in the operating position applies without discontinuity.

10. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the supply fittings (13) of the supply fitting support (18) are provided on the opposite side to that of the head end (12).

11. Wiper blade adapter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in by a pivoting joint (20) between the upper part (7) of the adapter and its lower part (5).

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